Disconnection Issues

Hello, since the 9th or 10th I've been getting random disconnects from the game. It happens no matter what I'm doing, dungeons, elite areas or just chatting. At first I thought it might be a server issue but then I've been getting disconnected from my normal internet about once or twice a day(since sunday night) I sent a support ticket over to plaync but I got no result that could help at all. (Sent one a few months ago related to major lag and no reply either)

I've ran all my scans and protective stuff, all came back clean. Updated everything that my windows and protection said I needed too. Yesterday I tried changing the ports in which my connection was on my router but that didn't work as I got disconnected again about 14 minutes into the change. Usually I can play just fine in the early morning or late night, but in the afternoon I just get repeated disconnects. For example I was at the end of a dungeon with a friend and I got 5 disconnects in a row and even then the game wouldn't let me reconnect. I had to shut the program down and reopen it to be able to do anything again.

About two or three weeks ago I had to replace my graphics card since my old one was dead and wouldn't let me run next to anything at all. I didn't have a single issue until the 9th or 10th when this all started. I've actually been running Guild wars on this computer(vista) for just over a year with no real problems at all, this is the first time something this major has happpened. The graphics card was a Geforce 8800 I believe, and the same make and model was replaced into the system to cover the old shot one. Nothing else was changed.

I've tried to narrrow it down to a router issue, graphics card or ISP issue but I've noticed ALOT of people are having the same issue since the update on the 10th so I can't rule out the servers messing up, but those shouldn't affect normal internet fuctions.(just as I was typing this out my net died again actually, just noticed it). I'm going to contact my ISP tomorrow and see if it isn't an issue on their side or with my router, but I thought I'd post here since plaync hasn't given me a single bit of help or info in the past at all. If it isn't an ISP or router issue then I guess I'm going to have to shell out money I don't have to get tech support to help. I'm just hoping it won't have to come to that, my funds are VERY tight for the next month and I'm already near my limit.

There were some server issues, as the sticky in this forum mentions. But those were resolved and shouldn't be causing anymore problems.

Where are you located geographically? (No need to be very specific, country will do.)

Thanks.

Just to add, I've also had issues that started roughly the same time. I've also lost the connection to the friend's server but was still able to play as you can see here. I know it's not a problem with the router or anything with my connection(I'm using my school's) and have had no problems with any other activities and it only affects Guild Wars. It's become somewhat of a serious problem for me as it will occur several times in a short period making the game virtually unplayable.

I have disconnect often, too. I can't tell for sure whether it's my Vista, ATT DSL, or the combination!

The united states, Iowa actually.

Also while I was typing this on my computer I lost connection to the internet 7 times and it won't reconnect what so ever now unless I reboot. This is becoming a serious pain in the ass for even normal surfing(using the OLD family computer now and it doesn't seem to ever lose connection.)

I just contacted a bunch of my guidies through MSN and confirmed with them(6 that were online) and they've all been having the same issues. All but one is located in the united states, the one in europe knows it's her router but she can't pay for a new one atm.

EDIT: And also thanks for confirming that it isn't just me you two. At least I know there are others besides my friends who it's happening too.

Have you contacted you ISP yet, Junzi?

I can give the same advice to anyone else that may be reading the thread too. If you're only having network issues when playing Guild Wars, then it may be Guild Wars related. If you're having issues all the time, I might considered contacting your ISP.

I have had same problems and heard from others that had the problems too, strange thing is it are all people that have more core processors. Since i tell gw to only run on one core the problems have been decreased bigtime.

Well done, I was not aware that this affected network issues. I'll forward this on to other to see if it helps.

Again, well done.

Once my father gets home from work this afternoon he's supposed to call them. (net went down once again as I'm typing) Before sunday it was guild wars only but now it's affecting all internet fuctions. Hopefully I'll get an answer later this afternoon.

Are you running XP? and if so do you have Zone Alarm running?

There was a conflict with a recent Windows update (only effects XP or older operatiing systems) from what I read. See sticky on top. Page 3

Nope, I'm running Vista. The family computer is XP but it has never been able to run GW.

There is one thing that happened on July 9th that none of you have mentioned, did you even notice?

Windows issued their July update on the 9th.

And if you had XP sp3 installed, it gave you a double whammy. Had to remove sp3 at home because it messed up my new graphics card. For XP, there was an XP update and an XP SECURITY update. I don't know if there was a Vista update because I won't touch it, but probably so. Windows updates often mess with 3rd party drivers and changes security settings without you knowing it.

Control Panel, Add/Remove Software, be sure the "Show updates" option at the top is checked. Look at all the updates: Media Player, Internet Explorer (even if you don't use IE), OS updates. Remove the July 2008 updates and see if it helps.

It's worth a try and you can always get the updates back through Windows Update. If removing them does help, go to Windows Update, Custom install, and mark them to not show again. Or not at least until Microsoft gets their act together. Usually in the next month's updates.

Painbringer mentioned that already, but I've said that I'm running Vista and not XP so that update doesn't affect me. There was no update for Vista that I'm aware of.

I had about 1 hour of no issues then as soon as I start skill capping it happens again. Is it a common thing for parents to not listen when their asked to just call the ISP instead of trying to fix it themselves?

Have you checked your Firewall to see if it is letting in any of these applications you want to run in? Maybe an update increased security or something to your firewall? If you are from Iowa you also had some serious weather over the last few weeks. A call to the ISP should be made. If you can get your parents to call get thru the B.S. of security questions then have them let you talk to them after that. They can take you a on a tour of checking the modem , ping tests, and can check for reports of service interruption. Worth a shot anyway.

Actually the area I'm in wasn't affected at all by all that rain and flooding. I've checked my firewall and it's not blocking GW at all. I havn't an a windows update since the 9th and my GW connection was allowed by my firewall during the update on the 10th.

Still if your provider is from your local town it does not mean your service is actually channeling thru them. I get Charter for example. And the closest city of size they are located in is Rochester, MN. I thought my service would be from there. When I did my ping tests I found out my service is coming out of Eau Claire, Wisconsin. This is a long ways away from me. So from point A to point B there could be an issue. What you need to do is talk with them for many reasons.

A. Main thing is they will help you check your modem settings and values. They can see the strength on there end while you check values on your end.
B. They will tell you if they have any other reports in your area that are being worked on.

Although you are probably ok and things will check out. This will help rule out hardware failure.

http://www.speedtest.net/ is a test your connection speed site.

The last thing that I can think of is when you say you ran scans did you run your own installed anti-virus did you run an additional Malware Scanner? (spybot search and destroy, ad-aware 2008 ect…)

Most Malware targets your connection. I posted a small help guide that will refer your to download of free scanners you could try http://www.guildwarsguru.com/forum/s...php?t=10308541

If the above does not help and since it is affecting more than just GW my final suggestion is to check out Bleeping Computer or Major Geeks website. They have networking areas that may be able to narrow the issue it down for you.

I've got Spybot search and destroy and it checks out as clean. I hardly ever download any additional programs, files or even images so I've never really considered that a threat. Honestly everytime I run spybot(once a week usually) it's always came out clean.

Since it's started to affect my father's connection now he is going to call today and see what can be done.

Good luck with your Dad calling, I hope it all straightens out.

But I want to point out that, yes, there was a Security update for Vista this month, not just for XP. Microsoft's KB950582, Security Bulletin MS08-038. Check it out if calling the ISP doesn't help.

ISP told us to Reset the Router and watch the connection for a week then to call back if it continued. Only had 1 disconnection yesterday morning(which always happens within 10 minutes of booting up my system) and been online for about 5 hours so far today. I'm still keeping a record though just in case.

If anything new happens I'll re-update this thread within the next week. After that assume it's fixed.